Manda Collins never disappoints! I loved jumping back into this series after a long hiatus. I flew through this one in a single evening. I couldn't put it down.

Jane Halliwell used to think she'd marry well and have a home and children of her own, but in the wake of her father's disgraceful death, she's left without a dowry, and without many options. She becomes a governess, working for one of her late father's good friends. But when her employer is murdered and she happens upon the body, she joins forces with Lord Adrian Fielding, a former associate of her father and her first crush, to solve the case, with the help of some of their friends.

It's cute, low-steam (I'd give it two chili peppers?), fast-paced historical romance with a mystery thrown in for good measure. Definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to Forever Pub and Netgalley for my review copy.

This was a cute, fun, and quick read.

I really liked the main characters, the chemistry between them, and the friendship group whom we have read about in previous novels in this series.

However, I found with this specific novel, the 'mystery' plot line is what I found to be lacking and eventually what I became bored with. Originally, I was intrigued because it almost felt like a diplomatic and political "Clue" with all of them being held in the same estate. But unfortunately, I wasn't kept in suspense or thrilled with the reveal. In fact, I was able to predict that individual and yet, I don't think there was anything really incriminating to make that prediction obvious.

It was an okay and cute read but coming off of the previous novel, which I really enjoyed, this one was kind of lacklustre.

If ever there were a closed-door mystery that felt cozy, romantic, angsty, and so very sweet- it is this one! I adored our whip-smart Jane as the protagonist. Her persistence to solve the mystery, in spite of societal pressures, was admirable. And the fact she was able to reconnect with her old friend, Lord Adrian, during this was icing on the cake. The way he fell for her was just perfect, just a total goner!

This one was more on the mystery side of a mystery-romance, just fyi! And while this is the 4th book in the series, you could start with this one easily as they are all only loosely connected. A fun romp for sure!

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!

Manda Collins is definitely one of my favourite voices in the historical romance genre. She's so fun and her characters are super entertaining but also I end up so invested in them. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of this series by Manda Collins, and this was another fun one! Like The Love Remedy, I love the blend of mystery and romance and the Victorian period. We met both main characters in the last book and I knew immediately they would be featured next. MMC Lord Adrian is SO charming and swoon-worthy. FMC Jane (as the governess) is intelligent, caring, and definitely NOT constantly thinking about her past(?) crush on Adrian. There is a lot of action too!

Manda Collins's Ladies Most Scandalous series is an absolute riot! I know that each time I pick up a book in this series I will be on a quick paced adventure! A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril is the fourth installment and it is an utter delight. Collins's writing is quick witted, well paced, banter filled romp as two friends are reunited in solving the mystery of who done it! I loved this journey and Collins has a way of balancing the mystery/plot with a rich and sensual romance. This series reads like a spicy, cozy mystery and I know I am going to have a wonderful time between its pages. I would highly recommend this novel and this series, I think they can all easily be read as stand-alones and they are sure to easily delight anyone who loves a mystery with a heavy dose of sizzling romance!

Funny and sweet. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

These are the kind of stories I love, full of intrigue, a mystery to solve and a second chance at love. Jane Halliwell is a young woman making her own way in the world after her father death. She's a diplomat's daughter who's father killed himself over gambling debts that lost the family fortune. Lord Adrian Fielding works in the Foreign Office and is the protégé to Lord Gilford a diplomat just under the Foreign Secretary. Adrian once worked under her father in Italy. These two meet again under difficult circumstances and find themselves working together to catch a murderer. I love stories with intelligent main characters who respect each other's skills and insights.

Jane Halliwell is 23 and a governess to Lord and Lady Gilford for their 16 year old daughter Margaret. When her father died the Foreign Office tried to keep the truth of her father's death undercover but it leaked out and she's scorned by society. Being penniless with no family but her estranged mother and the cousin who unhappily only took in her mother. She's determined to make her own way. The only real avenue open to her is governess. She went to work for a family friend but the Lady of the house accused her of enticing the Lord so she was fired with no references. Lord Gilford was a father figure to her and brought her into his home. He wanted her as a guest but she refused and became the governess. Lady Gilford was good friends with her previous employer and made her feel very unwelcome.

Lord Gilford is hosting a symposium about horticulture but in reality it's a meeting to firm up the purchase of a "talking machine" invented by Prince Maxim, Crown Prince of Roskovia. Shortly into the house party Lord Gilford is found stabbed in his study and discovered by Jane. This begins an investigation by Detective Inspector Eversham of Scotland Yard whom we've met in previous stories in this series. He and Adrian dig into the clues to discover the killer. Lady Gilford and Meg are sent to family to mourn away from the murder investigation. Jane is asked to be hostess to a house full of dignitaries that can't go home as they are all suspects in the murder. She ends up adding insight to the murder clues and they discover her father was murdered and not self inflicted. I loved the twists and turns of the detailed romantic murder mystery.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was very cute, and I enjoyed reading it. It was a fun little historical mystery romance. I wouldn’t say that’s it’s necessary to read the other books in the series first, however, it does include past characters from the previous books.

I felt like this book was super short, but it didn’t feel rushed in any way. I’m not a big fan of third person pov, but I understand why it was written that way.

I will read anything Manda Collins writes. This was a wonderful installment in her series. The heroines are always some of my favorite women. For fans of historical romances and kick ass women!

This was just ok- good enough to keep me reading but I didn’t really connect very much with the characters or the story. The “insta-love” between the characters didn’t feel right as they didn’t really have much chemistry. It seemed like there was more “telling” than “showing” how deep their bond was. FMC was significantly more interesting and better developed than the MMC who was kind of just… there. I liked the diplomatic aspect of the mystery.

I’m such a big fan of Manda’s historical romances. They are so sweet and fun! The characters and story are always on point for me! I enjoy that there is mystery within this story too! Jane is so great! I really adored her character! Adrian was a perfect match for Jane as well. This story was so well written and engaging from start to finish! I look forward to what’s next!

This series is lots of fun! It definitely blends a whole bunch of things in each novel, which means the pacing is occasionally off in either the mystery or romance element. The books move forward quite nicely, so it still results in an enjoyable read. I found the diplomatic aspect of this book super interesting - there were so many layers. There’s some banter, but I wouldn’t call it a major part of the book.

I love Manda Collin’s. From the first book in the series I’ve been hooked and this one is no different. Can’t wait for more hy her

Diplomats from the British Foreign Office attended a gathering together in Rome years ago. Since then, these same men have been systematically murdered. The murderer leaves a calling card of a flower with a quote by Machiavelli. Five years after her father committed suicide, Jane learns that it was actually murder. She and her mother lost everything when he died, including their social standing. Jane is now the governess for one of the remaining men. Yes, she soon finds him dead with a dagger in his chest during a house party. Her girlish crush, Lord Adrian, an underling at the time, is now a diplomat attending this house party. Her crush turns to love as Jane and Adrian investigate the deaths. There are plenty of suspects as they track the killer. They're helped by Detective Eversham from book one and other characters appear from the first three books in the series. I don't believe it's necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this story. A clever mystery with some romance make for a very enjoyable read.

As I think I have mentioned in previous reviews for books in this series, I think the mystery portion remains the strongest part of the story. I liked the murder mystery aspect of the plot and how it expands the world a little more in the city. I thought the romance was a little lacking in that the hero never gave me enough emotion other than being a little overbearing and then relenting almost immediately. I found that to be annoying. I would have rather we got more of him appreciating her newfound confidence and the way she has grown into herself since the last he really knew her when she was 18 (the brief interactions when she was like 21 don't really count). He focuses way too much on how he though she was wayyy young for him (I don't know if I just missed his actual age, but when she was 18, he had to have been very early 20s and now she is 23). He made too big a deal out of their, likely small, age gap when Jane didn't really care much more than feeling a bit foolish for a having a crush on him back then when he paid her no mind. I think the author does well in crafting a fun, interesting mystery and I feel like if she had more time to create the romance I would find it more romantic? We get a lot of people around them telling them that they like each other and less internal emotion than I typically prefer in my romances. I like pining and freaking out about how they suddenly realize they are in love. I think I would love to see a mystery romance series from this author where the couple doesn't get together in the first book, a more slow burn situation. I think that would be really cool. Not to say I disliked this book. I did enjoy it. The plot was fast paced but not hectic. I liked the backstory behind why this murder mystery was happening. I like the scenes where the main couple were able to chat and interact were fun. We also got to see some characters from previous books in the series, which I always like. I think if you are a fan of the series, you will also have a good time with this installment.

This is the third book in this series that I’ve read and they are always enjoyable! The murder mystery part of this book was a little more predictable to me than in some of the previous stories but it didn’t take away from the story! I really loved the romance between Jane and Adrian. I appreciate how strong and intelligent the women are in this series and how the men have learned they need the help. I also love seeing the characters from previous books pop up! Overall a fun read!

Jane has had an infatuation with Adrian since she was a school girl. Now she’s a governess because of circumstances concerning her father. At a house party the host has been murdered and Adrian helps investigate with Detective Inspector Eversham. Jane is called to help with hosting, but remains fixed to Adrian’s side helping him with his inquiries. Secrets come to light and changes Jane’s life. A little romance, a little murder and intrigue and you have yourself an entertaining read.

Enjoyed this book and the whole series. I really enjoy the strong female leads in these stories, which doesn't always happen in historical stories.

I'm convinced Manda Collins is incapable of writing a bad book! She truly rejuvenated my love for me historical romances with a healthy dash of mystery. She's fantastic at writing both!

Her characters are so fun and goofy (in the best way) considering they're from a Victorian time period. I think that's what makes her characters so appealing because they're not stuffy and uptight. They're hilarious and often making brave or highly questionable choices or both. I can't wait to read more of her blacklist soon!

Thank you Forever Pub for the opportunity to read and review!